2.08.2006 ET

(CSRwire) MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2006--As part of its ongoing effort to help reduce disparities in oral healthcare access and delivery, Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest distributor of healthcare products and services to office-based practitioners in the combined North American and European markets, partnered with the American Dental Association (ADA) for the fourth straight year to support Give Kids A Smile Day, a program that provided free oral health services to nearly a million underserved children in 2,000 communities across the country. This annual one-day initiative from the ADA enlisted some 40,000 dental team members, including more than 12,000 volunteer dentists, who this past Friday provided free educational, preventive and restorative services to children from low-income families.

Sullivan-Schein Dental, the U.S. Dental division of Henry Schein, once again served as the exclusive distributor of professional products for Give Kids A Smile, extending one of the first partnerships that the ADA has entered into with a private company to provide voluntary dental services at the national level. With the support of 47 participating vendor partners, Sullivan-Schein Dental coordinated the flow of free supplies of over 2,000 treatment and screening kits to over 830 locations - nearly double the number of locations in 2005 - selected by the ADA. The contributions of Sullivan-Schein Dental and its vendor partners enabled the thousands of participating dentists and dental team members to provide free oral health services to underserved children in areas of care identified by the ADA.

"For the past four years, Henry Schein has remained committed to working with the American Dental Association in support of this program, which mobilizes resources from the public, private and professional spheres to work together to support and enhance oral healthcare delivery to underserved communities all over the country," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Henry Schein. "This initiative uses our core competencies and strengths - logistics expertise, strategic marketing communications, and grassroots distribution capabilities - to help the ADA and its volunteers execute a program that has grown in magnitude and scope with each successive year. It truly exemplifies the power of voluntary public-private partnerships and their impact on local communities, and once again it is a privilege and an honor to partner with our vendors and the ADA to support this initiative."

"Give Kids A Smile showcases the commitment of the dental community to helping ensure that underserved children receive proper oral healthcare," said Dr. Bob Brandjord, President, ADA. "With each year we have continued to see growing support from our members, and the increased impact their voluntary activities are having on local communities. We hope that in the coming years this program will not only continue to grow, but also continue to enhance oral healthcare outcomes in local communities around the country. With the help of dental manufacturers and our professional partners, who put oral healthcare products into the hands of volunteer dentists and dental teams, we are working to build a sustainable grassroots program, whose benefits we will continue to see in the years to come. As always, Henry Schein has continued to serve as a crucial supporter for this important initiative through its premier distribution capabilities."

Henry Schein's participation in Give Kids A Smile is part of the Company's social responsibility program, Henry Schein Cares. The mission of Henry Schein Cares is to assist in narrowing the disparity in the delivery of healthcare services and information in underserved communities, both in the United States and abroad, by providing resources to support the programs of community-based healthcare professionals and their organizations.

Give Kids A Smile Vendor Sponsors:

Forty-seven Henry Schein vendor partners generously donated products to Give Kids A Smile access programs in 2006. Below is the list of participating companies:



About Give Kids A Smile

The ADA created Give Kids A Smile as an annual vehicle to focus national attention on what the U.S. Surgeon General has called a "silent epidemic" of oral disease affecting children from low-income families, and to build support for public and private solutions that will help these children get regular oral health care. As noted in the Surgeon General's 2000 report, Oral Health in America, dental decay is the most common disease affecting U.S. children, occurring at five times the rate of asthma and seven times that of hay fever. Millions of children suffer from untreated, easily preventable oral diseases that affect overall health, including speech, eating patterns and the ability to concentrate in school.

As part of Give Kids A Smile Day, dentists and dental team members around the country are providing a range of dental services and educational programs for underserved children, while highlighting for policy makers the ongoing challenges that low-income and disabled children face in accessing dental care. Today's events included in-school brushing demonstrations, community screening and treatment programs, and free, private dental care.

About the ADA

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 152,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice 'of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products. For more information about the ADA, visit the Association's
Web site at www.ada.org.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, a Fortune 500(R) company, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups--Dental, Medical, International and Technology--serve more than 475,000 customers worldwide, including dental practices and laboratories, physician practices and veterinary clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company's sales from continuing operations reached a record $3.9 billion in 2004. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 125 countries with a comprehensive selection of over 160,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products. Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions for healthcare professionals, such as ArubA(R), the Company's electronic catalog and ordering system. Henry Schein's leading practice management software systems have been installed in more than 50,000 practices - DENTRIX(R) and Easy Dental(R) for dental practices, and AVImark(R) for veterinary clinics. Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs nearly 11,000 people and has operations in 19 countries. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

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